The challenge
Bus franchising is a key part of LCRCA’s wider vision for a fully integrated, London-style public transport system that’s quicker, simpler, and more affordable.
The introduction of franchising is a complex process with many interfaces –resourcing constraints creates challenges for the authority on providing sufficient in-house expertise. LCRCA required experienced, knowledgeable advisors who could adequately support the introduction of a bus-franchising fleet.
How we helped
The critical support we provided to the authority included documentation for franchise procurement, including review of initial bidder documents, and fleet procurement: an initial c.220 vehicles, and further procurement of c. 400 vehicles. We also supported on the development of LCRCA’s decarbonisation strategy. The work required extensive collaboration to ensure all stakeholder views are considered and differing workstream inputs are incorporated.
The results
The first phase of the franchise operator procurement has been successfully completed, and we also supported other workstreams to develop their own processes.
We’ll continue supporting LCRCA on further phases of the bus franchising programme, including the procurement of more vehicles.
About our team
Our team has extensive experience of bus franchising: supporting South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority on its bus franchising assessment; a business case for Transport for Greater Manchester; and business case audits for West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority. We also bring extensive rail expertise through our work on concessions for Transport for London, the Department for Transport, Transport Scotland, Nexus, and Transport for Wales. The cross-discipline benefit of this is our capability for designing commercial structures that incentivise private operators to focus on both revenue and cost control.
